Essential Bolivia

Experience Overview

The mind-bending Uyuni salt flats. The spouting geysers. The giant cacti of Incahuasi Island. Bolivia is South America at its most spectacular. It’d take a whole lifetime to explore fully, so we’ve distilled the very best bits into this highlights-packed adventure. Guided by an expert tour leader, you’ll witness those extra-extraordinary landscapes, while also digging deep into the culture and history, including two unforgettable nights at a hotel built with salt.
Profile
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (salt hotel), 5 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Time spent at altitude — Travel by private minibus, 4×4 and two internal flights — Combine this trip with Discover Peru — Some long drives and early starts
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (salt hotel), 5 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Time spent at altitude — Travel by private minibus, 4×4 and two internal flights — Combine this trip with Discover Peru — Some long drives and early starts
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us. Fitness and altitude: Sightseeing and some tours may involve walking up and down steep streets or on uneven steps/ground. As such, you should have a good level of mobility and reasonable fitness levels. The high altitudes can make even leisurely activities feel more tiring than at sea level. As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for more information and advice on how to limit the effects of altitude sickness. Temperatures: Expect some low temperatures, particularly in the Uyuni salt flats, where it regularly falls well below freezing at night. Drives: There are some long drives. In Uyuni, you spend considerable time in the 4×4 vehicle (four people in each vehicle), although there are plenty of stops to enjoy the landscape, take photos and explore on foot. Facilities: Bolivia is less developed than many South American countries and things do not always happen as planned; expect the unexpected and approach travel here with an adventurous spirit. Strikes: Strikes are not uncommon in Bolivia; while these are generally peaceful protests, they can result in roadblocks and disruption to travel. In this event, your tour leader may amend your itinerary to minimise any impact on the itinerary.
Eating Drinking
Bolivian cuisine is a fusion between Spanish and Andean traditions and varies from one region to another. Common street food and snacks include salteñas (baked pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables), buñuelos (sweet or savoury bread, often stuffed with cheese) and papas rellenas (deep-fried battered stuffed potatoes). Popular main dishes include pique a lo macho (a kind of beef stir-fry, served with chunky chips), picante de pollo (spicy chicken) and tucumanas (a sort of pasty). Drinking water is provided in large containers to reduce the amount of single-use plastic bottles; please bring a refillable bottle with you.
Transportation
A variety of transport is used during this tour and vehicle types may vary depending on group size: travel is by private minibus/coach and two internal flights. In Uyuni, we spend three days exploring the salt flats and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve by 4×4. There is usually four passengers per vehicle.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start point: Qantu Hotel, Av. Illampu 740, La Paz, Bolivia Phone: +591 2 2451694 Arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: El Alto International Airport (LPB) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Catching your return flight There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.
Weather Information
Differences in topography and climate separate the lowlands and highlands of Bolivia into distinct areas. Weather conditions vary significantly from region to region. Altiplano (highlands), including Sucre and Uyuni: Climate varies from cool and humid to semi-arid. The average annual temperature ranges from 15C to 27C (60F to 80F) but in the dry season it’s more likely to be 10C-15C (50F-59F) with the coldest temperatures occurring in the southwestern portion of the Altiplano during June and July. Nights can drop to around freezing point. In Uyuni, night-time temperatures in the dry season may fall as low as -15C (5F), particularly from May to August. Between April and September, there is a chance of snow, especially to the north of the highlands, but it is not very common. The unrelenting rainy season occurs between December and March, but we do not run any departures at that time as getting around can be difficult and treacherous.
Spending Money
Small change is useful in Bolivia and may be needed for things such as using public toilets throughout the itinerary (usually 1 or 2 boliviano). Food, drinks and similar incidentals can vary in price enormously. Allow about 100-140 bolivianos (US$15-US$20) per person for each meal not included in the tour price to eat at good restaurants. Cheaper food is abundant at small cafes, although sanitary conditions at these places cannot be guaranteed. Bottled water and soft drinks are readily available for around 7-14 bolivianos (US$1-US$2) or less each. For the domestic flight from Uyuni to La Paz, an airport tax of 11 bolivianos (US$1.60) is payable at the airport in cash. Please ensure you have some change with you for this.
Tipping
In Bolivia, it has become customary for local staff to receive tips, which can be an important source of extra income for hard-working crew. Whether to tip and how much to tip should be a personal decision. US dollars are the preferred currency for tips. Tipping kitty: On this trip, we recommend running a tipping kitty. This means we tip as a group, and individuals don’t need to worry about giving out small tips to various people who have helped (ie drivers, local guides and hotel staff). We suggest a contribution of US$5 per person per day. Tour leader: Our tour leaders are fairly paid for their role but are always grateful for recognition of their skills and hard work. Tips should be based on their performance and engagement with the group. If you are happy with their work, we recommend somewhere around US$5 per person per day, but customers are encouraged to contribute what they feel happy giving.

Highlights